This week we will do an overview of the Lord’s Prayer and briefly consider each of the six petitions in that prayer. You may recall that last week we said there are three petitions that focus on God and three that focus on man’s needs. Beginning next week we will do a more in-depth study of each of those six petitions.
In case you are still a little groggy on this Monday morning, your first question is a trivial one and won’t require much brain power – just a little attention to repetitive phrases. (Note it might be helpful to make a hard copy of this week’s lessons in order to fill in the blanks.)
ASSIGNMENT:
READ MATTHEW 6:1-18
1. In these 18 verses Jesus uses the phrase ____ __________ (a two- word phrase) eight times. He uses a similar phrase ____ __________ _______ (3 words) one time and ____ __________ one time.
Our Father
2. Consider the way Jesus begins His prayer. What does this tell us about our relationship with God?
Although there are some references to God as “Father” in the Old Testament, that term was not frequently used. The disciples may not have been accustomed to hearing the religious leaders of the day address God in such a way as they prayed. As the disciples observed the depth of fellowship and relationship between Jesus and His Father, it may have been this observation that prompted them to ask Jesus: Lord, teach us to pray in Luke 11.
3. READ LUKE11:11-13. Here Jesus contrasts earthly fathers with our heavenly Father; how do their gifts compare?
From this passage, what would you say the best gift is?
READ MATT. 7:11, Jesus says that our Father gives ______ _______ to those who ______ _______. This view of God stresses His caring and kindness and conveys the idea of intimacy with Him.
Hallowed be Your Name
4. Hallowed means to make or declare holy. Zondervan Bible study notes tell us that the name of the Lord is the manifestation of His character and is synonymous with the Lord Himself. So the first petition of the prayer is a petition of praise. We will explore this more in a couple weeks.
Your Name, Your Kingdom, Your Will
5. Most of our prayers tend to be self-centered. These three “Your” statements may form a safeguard for our prayers and keep us more God-centered, kingdom-minded, and submissive.
As you conclude your study for today, consider praying without asking for anything. You might begin your prayer time with Our Father and deliberately focus on your Father/daughter or son relationship with God. As you move on to hallowed be Your Name, spend some time praising Him. If you find this difficult, you might find some of the praises of Psalm 63 (or other psalms) helpful. We suggest you close your prayer time by offering yourself - your thoughts and your motives on this day for the sake of His glory.
